Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2000/02/03/the_internet_will_give_you/

The Internet will give you a lift – official

Is this the daftest idea so far this year?

By Tim Richardson

Posted in On-Prem, 3rd February 2000 14:44 GMT

Forget brain-numbing musak next time you're in a lift (US, elevator) IBM has come up with something altogether far more irritating. Instead of piped sounds, a flat screen monitor called an e*Display will feature different pages from the Web. Of course, what's not clear is how the system will work. For example, will it need its own winding wheel at the top of the lift shaft, so that power/network cables can be wound up and down as the lift ascends and descends? While you're still trying to figure out that little conundrum, the e*Display will be launched in June and its makers reckon that the ad revenue could help to pay for the maintenance of the lifts. It's just a shame the screen wasn't installed in the Empire State Building last week. For the two hardy souls who plummeted 40-storey's probably would have had enough time to use the e*Display to sign up for life insurance and make a will. Ad revenue would have come in useful as well. ®